Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich, creamy, and flavor-packed pasta dish that brings together juicy seared chicken, tender linguine, and an irresistible cowboy butter sauce loaded with garlic, herbs, butter, and a touch of heat. This recipe is pure comfort food with bold flavor, perfect for cozy dinners, family meals, or when you want a restaurant-style pasta at home without complicated steps.

Ingredients

• 12 oz linguine pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, tossing well to coat evenly.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce

Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.

Step 5: Add the Cream

Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Add the cooked chicken and linguine back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 7: Finish with Cheese

Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce becomes silky and creamy.

Step 8: Serve

Remove from heat and serve hot with extra parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Variations

• Use shrimp instead of chicken
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach
• Swap linguine for fettuccine or spaghetti
• Make it spicier with extra red pepper flakes
• Add crispy bacon for extra richness

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with garlic bread or crusty bread
• Pair with a simple green salad
• Add roasted vegetables on the side
• Great for family dinners or guests
• Delicious as leftovers the next day

Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Approx. 680 calories
38g protein
42g fat
46g carbohydrates

Conclusion

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is the perfect blend of creamy comfort and bold flavor. With tender chicken, rich garlic butter sauce, and silky pasta, this dish delivers a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal you’ll want to make again and again.